Thitikul and Mack Tied for LOTTE Championship Lead After 36 Holes
Jeeno Thitikul and Polly Mack both shot bogey-free 65s to share the 36-hole lead at 12-under at Hoakalei Country Club. Each birdied the par-5 18th to complete the round. Carolina Melgrati and Ina Yoon sit one stroke behind, while Thitikul seeks her fourth LPGA title of the season.
Thitikul, ranked second globally, is a 23-year-old Thai player. She has already won three LPGA events this season and is making her second LOTTE start; she tied sixth there in 2022. Mack, from Germany and ranked 316th, has never before shared an LPGA halfway lead. Her 132 is a season-best 36-hole score, and her 65 equals her lowest round this year.
Melgrati, from Italy, posted a career-best 36-hole total of 133 after birdies on her last three holes. Yoon, of South Korea, has 15 birdies, the most in the field. A Lim Kim, the 2024 winner, and Michelle Zhang are two back; defending champion Youmin Hwang is tied 22nd.
Thitikul’s bid for a fourth LPGA win this season could draw more attention to women’s golf, especially among fans in Thailand and younger players who may see a top-ranked athlete succeeding. Mack’s unexpected contention may resonate with lower-ranked professionals, suggesting that form can shift quickly. The Honolulu event could also bring short-term visibility to Hoakalei Country Club and local tourism, while the LPGA’s upcoming Asia swing may sustain interest across different markets.